Trees - mature, ornamental & specimen

Mature Trees

Most of the mature oaks and conifers were planted when the gardens were first laid out in 1932. The most striking includes the beautiful Lawson Cyprus, of which there are three types: Lutea, the yellow conifer, the blue-green Triomf Von Boskeep and the bright green Erecta Viridis. In recent years some of the older trees have been felled to create better light and space and have been replaced by more ornamental varieties.

Ornamental and Specimen Trees

Stody boasts striking camellias in the borders and flint walls by the house as well as planted amongst the rhododendrons and azaleas. There are excellent examples of magnolias, blue cedars, flowering cherries and acers of vivid green and chestnut red. Additional ornamental varieties have been added in recent years such as Liquidamber Styraciflua, Sorbus Joseph Rock and Huphensis, Eucriphea Nymansay, Cercis Siliquastrum and the beautiful Arbutus Unendo (Strawberry Tree).

A magnificent Davidia Involucrata (Handkerchief Tree - pictured above) can be found if you turn West (back towards the house) when standing at the entrance to the Millenium Avenue. Further on, set well back on the left in the woodland area, there is a Norway Maple which was planted in 1985 to commemorate the reunion of the personnel who worked at Stody Lodge during the Second World War.

Removal of large conifers 2002 – 2006

The density of large and invasive conifers trees, planted in the 1960s on both sides of the Long Walk, were originally designed as a backdrop to the more delicate azaleas. Sixty years later they had grown to create a solid wall preventing viewers from seeing out from the lawn and destroying any sense of perspective. The trees were also draining moisture and goodness out of the ground to the detriment of surrounding shrubs, particularly azaleas. After much deliberation and consultation, a brave decision was taken to remove them. The exercise involved taking out huge roots and stumps all of which had to be removed by large diggers and transported from the garden whilst minimising damage. Significant regeneration has taken place in these areas since, with carpets of daffodils and bluebells spreading out year on year, and new plantings of shrubs and trees.